Commercial Aviation (AVIT)
View Commercial Aviation in the College Catalog [PDF]
Career Opportunities
There is a global pilot shortage – every country needs pilots. Emerging nations with are increasing the demand for qualified commercial pilots. Approximately 12,000 pilots will be eligible for retirement each year for the foreseeable future. In the United States an estimated 15,000 commercial pilots will be hired to for domestic and worldwide needs.
Program Vision and Pledge
The new AVIT program is a commitment to our students. That commitment is to safely offer the most innovative collegiate airline oriented training with the newest technology aircraft and simulators available within a professional training environment for the best value. Quality shall be our trademark; safety is our standard. Our pledge is integrity throughout our program and to our students for our students are our strength.
Program Mission
The Commercial Aviation Program’s mission is to serve Hawaii, the nation and the Pacific Region as the primary technical training center in aviation by offering a rigorous pilot flight training curriculum, meeting basic Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements to train and earn FAA certifications leading to careers as professional commercial pilots within the aviation industry.
Program Description
The Commercial Aviation program
is a four-semester program of study that prepares
students for careers as a professional pilot, including
charter and tour services, cargo and transport services,
and flight instruction. This FAA Part 141 approved flight
training program enables students to earn private,
commercial, instrument, multi-engine, flight instructor,
and instrument flight instructor ratings. Students
may log up to 250 hours of flight time. The Associate
in Science degree credits from Commercial Aviation
are transferable to 4-year colleges offering aviation
degrees or toward a University of Hawaii degree in
other disciplines.
Additional Program Information
The Honolulu Community College (HCC) Commercial Aviation (AVIT) program is made available through a partnership with Galvin Flying Services, Inc., under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate that provides a career path to earn a commercial pilot certificate with instrument multi-engine ratings. The HCC/Galvin partnership commenced with the Fall 2007 academic year. As a HCC partner, Galvin provides a FAA-approved Part 141 Air Agency Certificate, #HUNS846E, enabling HCC an opportunity to deliver a challenging AVIT collegiate flight curriculum, meeting FAA requirements for the training as professional pilots. AVIT provides students with the initial training opportunity to earn FAA certifications and ratings leading to a career as professional pilots within commercial air carriers, general aviation and military services. AVIT graduates are encouraged to obtain flight instructor certifications, seek employment as a flight instructor or entry level pilot and obtain a baccalaureate degree.
HCC students are trained with today’s most innovative and advanced equipment. Beginning Fall 2007, the Galvin/HCC fleet offers the most modern state of the art training fleet and simulators in the University Aviation Association (UAA) representing over 100 collegiate programs. The HCC/Galvin program offers an innovative airline oriented approach to collegiate flight training. The innovation begins with new all-carbon composite Diamond DA 40 and Twin Star aircraft equipped with Garmin G1000 all-glass navigation-avionics suite, including primary flight display (PFD) and multifunction display (MFD) that replaces traditional round gauge cockpit instruments. This cockpit instrumentation is similar to the large commercial aircraft.
Under FAR Part 141 regulations, the AVIT program offers a highly structured professional academic environment, an efficient airline oriented flight curriculum and a cost effective career investment training available within the state, the nation and the Pacific area. AVIT conducts academic and flight operations at Kalaeloa Airport (formerly Barbers Point Naval Air Station) located near Kapolei, on the island of Oahu. In addition, a FAA approved Computer Assisted Testing Service (CATS) is located at the Kalaeloa location.
A pilot training program is one of the most costly in any college due to required FAA flight hour minimums. Weighing the training cost versus the potential career income becomes a small fractional expense. Projected cost for each of the flight programs can be found in the synopsis of each course. The projected cost estimates are for planning based on the Part 141 curricula. Costs will vary with each students flight hours based on individual flight skills, motivation, and frequency of training flights. Students are expected to fly between 3-4 hours per week during the semester. If a student is not financially able to sustain the flight requirements, you are encouraged to seek financial aid or should reconsider enrolling in the program until financing is available. The HCC financial office is available to assist any student in these financial matters. Additional funding sources are provided at the Financial Aid web site.
Galvin Flying Services, Inc., with over 75 years of flight training experience, is partnered with HCC to provide all flight services and training in Hawaii. Since 1930, Galvin Flying Services has offered flying training in Seattle, Washington, with over 17,000 pilots trained for professional careers, business flying, or private and recreations from its Boeing Field location. Recognized as one of the finest training facilities and academies in the United States, Galvin students are trained to a level of professionalism that is unmatched. Galvin is proud to be recognized by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) as having the highest number of NAFI Master Certified Flight Instructors of any flight training organization in the United States.
Pacific Aerospace Training Center
Commercial Aviation Program
Kalaeloa Airport, Hangar 111
91-1259 Midway Rd
Kapolei, HI 96707
Information updated: December 6, 2007